5 ways blogs will continue to influence culture

This is the time of year for grand pronouncements. The death of this and the birth of that; the top 10 of last year; and the trends that will change the new year. Who am I not to join in the Kreskin fun?

Late this Fall, Wired and others took on my pet cultural institution: the blog. They claimed it was dead or dying. Soon to be overcome by shorter communications (Twitter), more social networks (Facebook) and even a resurgence of real journalists (Engadget).

I think the blog has a long life ahead. Bolstered by a continuing surge of content and loyal readers and writers. Of course the medium will change - likely at the startling pace that most things seem to these days - but, its staying power reflects the real value it delivers to our culture.

5 ways blogs will continue to influence culture in positive ways:

1. Powering the spirit of innovation. Bloggers have been accused of having shiny object syndrome - darting from one new thing to the next just to claim the newest find. The positive spin on that is a sense of constant motion, of new ideas, of momentum behind innovation. This spirit of change emboldens readers and writers to reach for the bleeding edge, to expect and create new ideas.


2. Building value in the ideas of the common man. Do blogs let amateurs act like experts? Or do they simply give us access to more experts? Niche topics, cheap platforms and navigation by search have given everyday experts the ability to connect with people who value their ideas and perspectives, breaking down isolation and uncovering utility that might otherwise have been missed.


3. Delivering fodder for conversation. Even people who don't read blogs are influenced by them. Readers take online insights and ideas out into the world. Peppering typed and spoken conversations with what inspired or surprised them.


4. Creating energy and excitement. There's nothing that moves faster around the blogosphere than big events and big scandals. The power of so many voices aligning around one cause or story is something of a lightening rod for conversation and change.


5. Opens access to experts. The rules are different online. Important authors, commentators, and brands who wouldn't bother to respond to your mailed letter, OpEd or rant at book club are suddenly accessible in the blog world. Ask a question; it gets answered. Raise a concern; it gets addressed. Start a conversation; it's continued.

Who would give all that up for Twitter?

Comments

[William Brinson]

I think that blogs have influenced the way people are designing their sites. There seems to be a trend of long scrolling sites with navigation on the side, blog esk. I don't think there is going to be the death of the blog, but more of an evolution. Here is an example of a branding firm Clark Huot, who uses this evolved style. http://www.clarkhuot.com
I think it will catch on quickly.

[John Lane]

Completely random and based on the smallest thing in your post... I love the Kreskin reference.

The Amazing Kreskin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kreskin) used to come to my hometown (Kingsport, TN) every year for an event called Fun Fest. His show was sponsored by the company my dad worked for (Mead) so he always got to MC the show. Being MC meant he also drove Kreskin around town and he would occasionally eat dinner at our house. We would get the up-close-and-personal version of his prediction, mind-reading and magic antics.

Thanks for sparking those great memories.

Oh yeah... I like the rest of the post, too. Blogs (and Twitter and Facebook) allow marketing strategists to experiment on a personal level, which translates into new possibilities for clients.

jl

Twitter: @jvlane257

[Jake Thomas]

Does anyone else think that blogs still have a ways to go to reach their maximum potential? Blogs have the power to lead real change in our society - namely by keeping people more informed and inspiring them to act! Thanks Leigh.

[Myron Tay]

Blogs are becoming more and more like traditional websites with emphasis centering around the "news section" instead of "about us"

[vic]

Blogs are love by people and by advertisers because blogs offers fresh and innovative rich contents. Blogs will continue to rise in the future years.

[adchick]

You're right on. Love your blog and look forward to your ideas. Blogging, whether your audience is 4 or 4000, certainly helps the blogger too...improve writing skills, learn to be more articulate as well as stimulate new thoughts and perspectives. I have a long way to go, and reading you helps me immensely. Happy New Year from
Adchick.wordpress.com

[James]

I believe you are correct. Blogs are here to stay and will only grow as the prefered method of spreading opinions, news, and ideas.

As regards twitter taking over, I doubt it. Micro blogs offer nothing new. They're still blogs regardless of how small they may be. Twitter will dry up as soon as the hype being bought via VC dreamers dry up.

[Sampad Swain]

Great post Leigh. In the times, when people are saying Blogs are dead, I think we should re-think again.

By the way, have a great 2009!

---
Sampad

[Matt Dickman]

Great post Leigh. I think blogs are far from dying (I think they're still in their infancy actually) and the points you list are among the top reasons why. In the end, it's about delivering value to your audience and most bloggers are still figuring out their balance with other services. Thanks for keeping this positive, I definitely share your passion!